Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 Source: Northern View, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 The Northern View Contact: http://www.thenorthernview.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4366 Author: Shaun Thomas RCMP CONDUCT SUCCESSFUL ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN The results of a four-month campaign by the RCMP aimed at cracking down on street level drug traffickers throughout the Northwest were released on January 16, and the campaign is being deemed a success by local RCMP officers. From September to December, 2006, undercover officers purchased a variety of drugs which included cocaine, marijuana, crack cocaine, morphine and psilycobin from dealers in Prince Rupert, Queen Charlotte City, Skidegate, Masset, Terrace, Kitimat, the Nass Valley, New Hazelton, Smithers and Houston. All told the operation led to the arrest of 53 different suspects facing over 100 charges, including 11 people facing charges in Prince Rupert, six in Queen Charlotte City/Skidegate and four in Masset. As well as the undercover purchases, detachment members executed 13 search warrants which resulted in the seizure of additional drugs and two firearms. Over $13,000 in cash was also seized during the operation, which was spearheaded by the Prince Rupert North District Drug Section. "The project went very well, there was a lot of hard work done not only by our North District guys, but from the outlying detachments as well. Everyone worked hard and as a result the project was very successful not only with the number of suspects arrested, but also with the number of charges," said Constable Jagdev Uppal with the RCMP's Border Integrity Program. "I think this sends a strong message. We want people that may think of being involved in drug trafficking at the street level to beware because you just don't know who that person is that you are selling drugs to. It may be an undercover RCMP officer and you may be facing charges of drug trafficking." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek